Method and apparatus for compressing and wrapping bags

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for compressing a stack of flat, empty bags to form a compressed bale, and for wrapping the bale in an open ended wrapper, the apparatus including cooperating upper and lower platens between which the stack is compressed, and a piston and cylinder assembly for displacing the compressed bags while under compression into a wrapping zone. A wrapper paper feeding and guiding mechanism automatically interposes an elongated sheet of wrapper paper in the path of travel of the compressed bags into the wrapping zone. This causes the wrapper paper to extend around the compressed bale on three sides after a reciprocating knife has severed a portion of the wrapper paper from the continuous sheet. A piston and cylinder assembly then folds down a top extension of the severed portion of the wrapper sheet to cover a portion of the fourth side of the bale. A reciprocating adhesive spray head then moves across the folded down top extension and sprays adhesive thereon. Another piston and cylinder assembly then folds upwardly a bottom extension of the wrapper sheet so that it overlaps the folded down top extension and covers the remainder of the fourth side of the bale. Finally, a press roller is extended across the wrapped bale along the line of adhesive application to bond the top and bottom extensions of the severed portion of the wrapper paper.

Unite aieiit William 1.. Davis Camden, Arie [72] inventor [73] Assignee Davis Machine Corporation Camden, All'it.

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS F013 COMlPlRlESSllNG ANID WPMNG BAGS 9 C iaims, 24 Drawing Mm.

[52] U.S. C11 53/1124 A, 53/24, 53/124 C. 53/383, 93/36 MM [51] int. (31 113651: 13/29, 1365b 51/02, 1331b 1/62 [50] Field oiSearch 93/36 MM, 93; 53/24, 124, 383

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,490,198 1/1970 Beckman 53/124 A X 2,339,221 1/1944 Gulick 93/36 (MM) 2,412,862 12/1946 Bergstein 93/36 (MM) 2,979,871 4/1961 l(leckhefer.... 53/3 3,456,564 7/1969 McCandless 93/36 (MM) 3,511,014 5/1970 Kochalslti... 53/24 3,513,628 5/1970 Lee .1 53/124 2,653,431 9/1953 Robinson 53/57 2,768,489 10/1956 Brown 53/26 2,974,461 3/1961 Demler.... 53/383 X 3,172,342 3/1965 Potdevin. 93/93 (.3) 3,263,398 8/1966 Gobalet 53/383 X 3,315,435 4/1967 Gunyou 93/49 (.1) 3,327,449 6/1967 Hullhorst 53/383 X 3,343,334 9/1967 Bode 1. 53/124 3,383,825 5/1968 Titchenal 5.3/124 X 3,416,286 12/1968 Ciccone 93/93 (.3)

Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin and Dougherty ABSTRACT: An apparatus and method for compressing a stack of flat, empty bags to form a compressed bale, and for wrapping the bale in an open ended wrapper, the apparatus including cooperating upper and lower platens between which the stack is compressed, and a piston and cylinder assembly for displacing the compressed bags while under compression into a wrapping zone. A wrapper paper feeding and guiding mechanism automatically interposes an elongated sheet of wrapper paper in the path of travel of the compressed bags into the wrapping zone. This causes the wrapper paper to extend around the compressed bale on three sides after a reciprocating knife has severed a portion of the wrapper paper from the continuous sheet. A piston and cylinder assembly then folds down a top extension of the severed portion of the wrapper sheet to cover a portion of the fourth side of the bale. A reciprocating adhesive spray head then moves across the folded down top extension and sprays adhesive thereon. Another piston and cylinder assembly then folds upwardly a bottom extension of the wrapper sheet so that it overlaps the folded down top extension and covers the remainder of the fourth side of the bale. Finally, a press roller is extended across the wrapped bale along the line of adhesive application to bond the top and bottom extensions of the severed portion ofthe wrapper paper.

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wmm mm mm 4 rroe/vers METHOD AND APPARATUS FGIIR CGMFIRIESEII IG AND WIIAIPFING IWIGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to a method and apparatus for compressing a stack of vertically superimposed, flat, flexible bags to form a compressed bale, then wrapping the compressed bale in an open ended wrapper.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of large flexible grocery or shopping bags of the type described in US. Pat. No. 3,180,237 to Davis, the finished bags are then customarily packaged for shipment to the customer by grouping the individual bags in hands, grouping the hands in a stack, compressing this stack to express air from the bags and minimize the bulk of the stack, and then wrapping the compressed bags with a paper wrapper to form a package for shipment or storage. A typical commercially utilized banding press for performing the compression and wrapping operations described is that which is marketed by the Potdevin Machine Company of Teterborough, New Jersey.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides an improved method for compressing and wrapping a plurality of flexible bags for storage or shipment, and a reliable and efficient improved banding press for carrying out the steps of the method.

Broadly described, the steps of the method entail initially compressing a plurality of vertically superimposed bags to flatten the bags and express air therefrom; then displacing the compressed bags through a sheet of wrapping or banding paper disposed in a vertical plane by movement of the bags along a path extending normal to this plane so that the stacked, compressed bags are surrounded on three sides by a generally C-shaped portion of the wrapping paper; next folding one of the free extending portions of the wrapping paper over at least a portion of the fourth side of the stack of bags, followed by the application of an adhesive to the outer surface of this folded, free extending portion. The other free extending portion is then folded over the free extending portion of the wrapping paper which was first folded to completely cover the fourth side of the stack. Finally, pressure is applied to superimposed free extending portions of the wrapping paper to bond them together and complete the banding of the compressed stack of bags.

The improved banding press of the invention broadly comprises a framework having mounted thereon horizontally extending upper and lower platens, means for moving one of the platens relative to the other to compress a staclr of bags positioned therebetween, and means for horizontally displacing the compressed stack of bags from between the upper and lower platens into a wrapping or banding zone.

The banding press further includes a paper feeding as sembly for continuously feeding a strip of wrapping paper to the press paper guiding means which functions to guide the paper wrapper into a plane which extends across the path along which the compressed stack of bags is horizontally displaced from a position between the platens to the banding zone, and means for severing from the st in of wrapping paper, the portion of the paper which is to be r ed to band the bags. The banding press also comprises a flap .older assembly which functions in timed sequence with the movement of compressed bags into the banding zone to fold flap portions of the wrapping paper into overlying relation with respect to each other so that the paper is wrapped around four sides of the bag stack. Also functioning in synchronism with the flap folder as sembly is an adhesive applicator which moves along one ofthe flaps after it has been folded to apply adhesive along an area which will be contacted by another flap which will subsequently be folded by the flap folder assembly. Finally, the

banding press includes a seam roller assembly which presses the overlapped flaps together along the zone where adhesive has been applied to bond the flaps together and thus complete the wrapping of the bags.

It is a major object of the invention to provide an improved method for compressing flexible bags and then wrapping them in a flexible wrapper which extends around the compressed bags on four sides.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved banding press for expressing air from a stack of vertically superimposed paper bags.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically forming a circular flexible band around a stack of flexible bags which are under compression.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for automatically compressing a stack of superimposed flexible bags, then while the bags are compressed, automatically wrapping the stack of bags with a flexible wrapper so that the wrapper extends around four sides of the bag, and finally, automatically gluing the wrapper in position around the stack of bags.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically compressing and wrapping a bale of paper grocery bags for storage and shipment, which apparatus is mechanically reliable and is characterized in having a long and trouble free operating life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a side elevation view of a bag compressing and wrapping machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the machine depicted in FIG. l as the machine appears when viewed from the opposite side thereof from the side shown in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the bag compressing and wrapping machine shown in FIG. ll.

FIG. 4 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of the bag compressing and wrapping machine depicted in FIG. I.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. I and showing a portion of the device broken away for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. h is a sectional view taken along line II-8 of FIG. 3.

FIG. S is a partially sectional and partially elevational enlarged detail view of the cutter knife assembly as it appears when viewed from one side thereof.

FIG. It) is a view partially in section and partially in elevation ofthe draw roll assembly forming a part of the invention.

FIG. Ill is a sectional view taken along line ill-Ill of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section and partially in elevation of the adhesive applicator assembly forming a part of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12 as it appears when viewed from a different side.

FIG. M is an enlarged, detail view, partially in section and partially in elevation of the seam roller assembly forming a part of the invention.

FIG. 15 is another partially sectional, partially elevational view of the seam roller assembly as it appears when viewed from another side.

FIG. I6 is an electrical wiring diagram of the electrical circuit utilized in the invention.

FIG. I? is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. I3 is a sectional view taken along line Iii-I8 of FIG. l7.

FIG. I9 is a sectional view taken along line li -l9 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 2l-2l of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a modified lower flap folder assembly forming a part of the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1723.

In referring to the drawings and to the following detailed description ofa preferred embodiment of the invention, major machines, assemblies or subassemblies have been designated by reference numerals associated with lead lines having arrowheads. Individual elements are indicated by reference numerals which carry plain lead lines not having arrowheads.

The banding press of the invention which is utilized in carrying out the improved method of compressing and wrapping or banding a stack of flexible bags is shown in its entirety and overall appearance in FIGS. l-4. The banding press is conventionally utilized in conjunction with a bag collating and stacking machine in which a plurality of paper bags are stacked in vertically superimposed relation, and this stack is then discharged from thecollating and stacking machine into the banding press. Thus, in FIGS. 1-4, the banding press, designated generally by reference numeral 10, is shown adjacent and aligned with, a bag supporting plate 12 from which a stack of bags to be compressed and wrapped or banded is introduced to the banding press. The banding press includes a framework 14 which has a horizontally extending base portion 16, and horizontally extending, substantially parallel, apertured sideplates 18 which, with a horizontal bottom plate 19 and adjustable top plate 21, form a portion of a banding chamber in which the compressed bags are wrapped or banded as hereinafter described.

The framework 14 further includes a pair of vertically extending side panels or plates 20 which define between them an upwardly extending elevator way along which the stack of bags to be compressed is elevated as the two platens hereinafter described are moved relatively toward each other. Positioned adjacent the framework 14 is a mill roll assembly 22 which functions to support and feed wrapping or banding paper from a large roll 24 in a manner hereinafter described. Mounted on the upper end of the framework 14 is a draw roll assembly 26 for continuously drawing a strip or web of wrapping paper from the mill roll assembly 22. Adjacent the draw roll assembly 26 is a cutter knife assembly 28 which functions periodically, and in timed sequence with other operations of the banding press, to sever the strip or web of wrappingor banding paper along a transverse line.

For the purpose of guiding the web of wrapping paper in a verticallyextending plane, an upper paper guide assembly 30 extends across the back of the upper end portion of the framework 14 and is aligned with a lower paper guide assembly 32 which is disposed on the lower portion of the framework 14 and at the backside thereof. An adjustable upper platen assembly 34 (see FIG. 4) is positioned in the upper portion of the framework, and a lower platen assembly 36 is positioned in the lower portion of the framework 14. Located in horizontal alignment with the banding or wrapping chamber which is defined by the sideplates 13 of the framework 14, and secured to the {award side of the framework, is a transfer unit assembly 38.

Secured across the framework 14 between the sideplates 38 above the wrapping chamber defined therebetween is an upper flap folder assembly 40. In substantial vertical alignment with the upper flap folder assembly 40 and secured across the lower side of the sideplates 18 to the bottom plate 19 is a lower flap assembly 42. Projecting horizontally outwardly from one of the sideplates l8 defined in the wrapping zone is an adhesive applicator assembly 44. On the opposite side of the wrapping chamber from the adhesive applicator assembly 44, and secured to a sideplate l8, and extending horizontally therefrom, is a seam roller assembly 46. Finally, to the rear of the framework 14 in a position to receive compressed, wrapped bales or stacks of bags from the wrapping chamber is located a bag delivery assembly 48.

Having thus briefly alluded to the various assemblies which are functionally and mechanically integrated in the banding press 10 of the invention, the several parts of the various assemblies will next be described in greater detail. The description of the assemblies will be undertaken substantially in the order in which the various assemblies are encountered by bags moving into and through the banding press after having been stacked in vertically superimposed, individually flattened condition upon the bag supporting plate 12. From this plate, the stack of vertically superimposed bags is moved by any suitable mechanism into the banding press 10 where the bags come to rest upon a portion of the lower platen assembly 36. The lower platen assembly 36 is the moving element functioning in the compression of the stack of bags, and includes a platen panel 50 (see FIG. 5) which is secured across an elongated platen support beam 52. The beam 52 extends transversely and horizontally across the framework 14 and projects through an elongated, vertically extending slot 54 formed in each of the side panels 20.

Secured to the back edges of the platen support beam 52 at locations just inside the side panels 20 of the framework 14 are a pair of horizontally spaced bearing brackets 56 which journal the end portions of an elongated shaft 58 (see FIG. 5). The shaft 58 carries at its opposite ends outside the bearing brackets 56, a pair of gears 60 which are keyed to the shaft for rotation therewith. The gears 60 mesh with the teeth carried upon elongated, vertically extending racks 62 secured to the inside faces of the side panels 20 of the framework 14. It will be seen that during vertical reciprocating movement of the platen supporting beam 52 and of the platen panel 50 which is secured thereto, a bending moment tending to twist the platen support beam about its axis is resisted by the support and strength afforded by the interlock between the gears 60 and the racks 62.

At the outer ends of the platen support beam 52, the beam is connected to the lower ends of a pair of downwardly extending, substantially parallel piston rods 64 which are best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The piston rods 64 are connected at their other ends to pistons which are disposed within air cylinders 66 secured by brackets 68 on opposite side panels 20 of the framework 14 at the upper portion thereof. Periodically, and in timed sequence with the remaining functions performed by the banding press, the cylinders 66 are pneumatically actuated to retract the piston rods 64 and thus elevate the platen supporting beam 52 and the platen panel 50 carried thereby for the purpose of compressing the bag stack in a manner hereinafter described.

Mounted in the upper portion of the framework 14 is the adjustable upper platen assembly 34. The upper platen assembly 34 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4 and 6, and includes an elongated mounting bracket 70 which extends transversely across the framework 14 and is secured at its opposite ends to the side panels 20. The elongated mounting bracket 70 has secured to the upper surface thereof at horizontally spaced intervals therealong, a pair of bearing keeper blocks 72 which rotatably journal the flanged lower end 74 of a worm gear unit 76. Extending upwardly through an aperture in the mounting bracket 70 and through an aligned threaded aperture formed through the center of the worm gear unit 76 is a threaded stud 78 which is secured in any suitable way to the upper side of a transverse platen mounting bracket 82. The platen mounting bracket 82 is an elongated bracket which is secured at its lower edge to the central portion of an elongated upper platen panel 84. The opposite end portions of the platen panel 84 are adjustably secured to the side panels 20 of the framework by means of suitable bolts 85 extended through suitable oversized apertures 87 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

Secured across one end of the mounting bracket 70 adjacent, and inside of, the side panel 2ft is a bearing block 8b. Another bearing block lid is secured to the upper side of the mounting bracket '70 and is horizontally spaced from the bearing block as. The bearing blocks tin and btl journal the opposite ends of an elongated, horizontally extending shaft 94) which extends substantially parallel to the mounting bracket 70, and which has keyed thereto, a pair ofmitcr gears 92.

The miter gears 92 are horizontally spaced along the shaft 90 and are positioned to engage a pair of meshing miter gears 94 and 96 as illustrated in H0. 6. The miter gear W is keyed to one end ofa shaft 9% which is journaled in a pair of bearing blocks llllll mounted on the upper side of the mounting bracket 70. The shaft 9% also extends through a bearing block 102 which is secured to, and projects normally, from the bear ing block db. At its end opposite the end carrying the miter gear 94, the shaft 98 has an adjusting handle ltl l secured thereto which is employed for a purpose hereinafter described. The miter gear as is keyed to a relatively short shaft 106 which is journaled in a pair of bearing blocks llllil secured to the upper surface of the elongated mounting bracket 70.

The transfer unit assembly 38 is best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4i and d. Secured to a central portion of each of the side panels of the frame 14 are a pair of cylinder mounting brackets 120. The cylinder mounting brackets 12d support a transversely extending elongated cylinder mounting plate in to which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured an air cylinder 124. The air cylinder 124 contains a piston (not shown) which is secured to one end of the piston rod i216 having its other end secured to a pusher plate 12%. The pusher plate 128 has formed therein a plurality of transversely spaced, vertically ex tending slots 130 (see FIG. '7).

Each of the slots 130 slidably retains a plunger plate H2 which is biased upwardly in the respective slot by a suitable spring 134 which is extended between the pusher plate 128 and the lower portion of the respective plunger plate 132. At its upper end, each plunger plate 132 journals a roller 136 which is positioned to extend beyond the upper edge of the respective pusher plate and bear against the upper platen panel 8d. Thus, the plunger plates 1132 can accommodate themselves in their position to adjustments of the upper platen panel 84 as may be required. It will be noted in referring to FIGS. 1 and d that the transfer unit assembly 3% which includes the air cylinder 12 i is located so that the air cylinder and piston 1126 are located just below the upper platen assembly 34 and are aligned with the wrapping chamber located between the sideplates lb of the framework 1d.

The upper paper guide assembly Ell is mounted on the framework M to the rear of the upper portion thereof and extends transversely between the side panels Zil of the framework. The upper paper guide assembly Eltl includes a pair of vertically extending rigid sheets of metal Ml) which are spaced slightly from each other by means of suitable spacer strips 142 (see FIG. 6) extended between the side edges of the sheets. Further, the side edges of the sheets lllll are suitably secured to the outer side panels Ell of the framework lid. it will be noted that the sheets Mil are positioned immediately below the draw roll assembly 26 for receiving a web or slip of paper therefrom in a manner hereinafter described. it will also be noted in referring to F16. d that at their lower edges, each of the sheets 140 is beveled or tapered nwardly so that these sheets may move into the outwardl; beveled or divergent upper edges of sheets forming the lower paper guide assembly 32 next to be described. The sheets M ll terminate along a horizontal line which is above the horizontal level of the upper platen panel ti t and is also above the horizontal level of the adjustable top plate Sill which is aligned with the upper platen panel.

The lower paper guide assembly 32 is mounted on the lower portion of the framework lid and, like the upper paper guide assembly, includes a pair of parallel, vertically extending, slightly horizontally spaced rigid sheets Md and Mb. The rigid ill til

sheets M45 and Mil are spaced from. each other by spacer strips rsri disposed between the opposite side edges of the rigid sheets. The thus connected sheets Mn and Mid are vertically slidable in channels defined between the vertically extending guide bars 152 disposed at the back of the framework, and the vertically extending racks s2 hereinbefore described in referring to the lower platen assembly 32. Projecting rearwardly from about the center of the lower edge portion of the rigid sheet M6 is a toe portion 154 to which is secured the lower end of a piston rod 156 slidably mounted in an air cylinder M8. The air cylinder llzitl is supported upon the lower side of the horizontal bottom plate 19 to which reference has hereinbefore been made, and which forms the bottom of the wrapping chamber. it will be noted that the space between the rigid sheets M6 and Mill is open at the lower side thereof. These two sheets are tapered at their upper ends so as to enlarge the spacing between them, and form a mouth for receiving the inwardly tapered lower edges of the sheets M0 of the upper paper guide assembly 30 when the sheets 146 and 148 of the lower paper guide assembly 32 are reciprocated upwardly in a manner hereinafter described. For the purpose of further guiding the parallel sheets M6 and Mil of the lower paper guide assembly 32 during its upward reciprocating movement, a pair of horizontally spaced guide strips 160 and 162 are secured to the inside face of each of the side panels 18 of the wrapping chamber, and are positioned so that the sheets will slide between these guide strips when moved upwardly across the entrance to the wrapping chamber.

The cutoff unit assembly 28 is mounted in the upper portion of the framework i l and is best illustrated in FIGS. 4, fl and 9. The cutoff unit assembly 2d includes a transversely extending girt lob which extends between, and has its opposite ends secured to, the sideplates Ztl of the framework l t. The girt has secured thereto, and projecting forwardly therefrom, a pair of cylinder mounting brackets lot; which function to support an air cylinder 17b. The air cylinder 17 ll has a piston rod 172 projecting therefrom which is secured at its outer end to a reciprocating cutoff knife i741. The cutoff knife 174 has a slanting or inclined leading cutting edge so as to be better able to slice through, and sever cleanly, the web or strip of paper through which it is reciprocated by the air cylinder in the manner hereinafter described. The cutoff knife i174 carries in horizontally spaced relation along its length, a pair of spring biased plungers ll'l'b which carry rollers 178 at their lower ends, which rollers 172i bear against the upper surface of the girt the. it is upon these rollers that the cutoff knife i74- moves across the flat upper surface of the girt in making its reciprocating cutting stroke.

The side portions of the upper surface of the cutoff knife ll7l bear against the lower surface of a pair of knife guide blocks llltl and 182 secured to the sideplates 20 of the framework id in vertically spaced relation to the girt 166. A shaft MM extends across the framework 14 and has its ends journaled in the knife guide blocks llllll and 182. Keyed to the shaft are a pair of small gears N16 and will which meshingly engage a pair of racks llfild and T92 secured to the upper surface of the cutoff knife llld.

For the purpose of slightly raising or lowering the knife guide blocks 1% and 132. in order to vary the horizontal plane in which the cutoff knife ll'id reciprocates, a pair of adjusting blocks T96 and wi l are secured to the inside surfaces of the sideplates 20 of the frame 14 and carry a plurality of vertically extending adjusting screws Elli which can be screwed in or out to vary the vertical positions of the knife guide blocks. This adjustment, in conjunction with the biasing effect of the spring biased plungers l7b, permits the horizontal plane in which the cutoff knife i746 reciprocates to be adjusted as may be necessary to obtain optimum cutting efficiency.

Secured to the forward portion of each of the knife guide blocks lilil and M2 is a transversely extending doffer plate 202 which functions to guide the paper strip or web from the draw roll assembly 2t) into the upper paper guide assembly 30 in a manner hereinafter described. Horizontally spaced from the doffer plate 202 and secured between plates 210 forming a portion of the draw roll assembly is an elongated, transversely extending cooperating knife member 206 which is a stationary cutting member which cooperates with the reciprocating cutoff knife 174 in severing the strip or web of paper. The cooperating knife member 206 is mounted in the illustrated position by means of a knife member mounting bracket 20% which extends transversely across the machine between a pair of plates 210 forming a portion of the draw roll assembly 26 as hereinafter described.

The draw roll assembly 26 which feeds the wrapping paper web or strip to the upper paper guide assembly 30 is best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 10 and 11. The draw roll assembly includes a motor and gear reducer combination 2M mounted on top of the framework 14 with the output from the motorgear reducer 214 driving an elongated shaft 216 which is secured in suitable bearing boxes 218 mounted on the upper side of the framework. The shaft 216 has keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a draw roll 220 which extends across the machine between the sideplates 20 of the frame 14. The end of the shaft 216 opposite its end which is drivingly connected to the motor-gear reducer 214 has keyed thereto a gear 222 which drivingly engages a gear 224 carried on the outer end of a shaft 226 which is joumaled in a pair of bearing boxes 22%. Intermediate the length of the shaft 226, a pair of horizontally spaced draw rollers 230 are mounted and are of substantially the same diameter as the roller 220. The draw rollers 230 bear against, and cooperate with, the roller 220 for drawing paper therebetween and feeding it to the divergent upper ends of the rigid sheets 140 of the upper paper guide assembly 30. It will be noted in referring to FIG. 4 that the line of contact between the draw rollers 230 and the draw roller 220 extends across, and directly above, these sheets.

Passing through oversized apertures in rearwardly projecting wings of the bearing boxes 228 is an eccentric shaft 234. The ends of the shaft 234 are suitably journaled in bearing caps 236 which are suitably secured to the framework 14 of the machine. The offset or eccentric portion of the shaft 234 is extended through the apertures in the wings of the bearing box 228. A handle 238 is keyed to the shaft 236 so that the shaft may be rotated about its axis, and so that the eccentric characteristic of this shaft will then function to move the bearing boxes 228, and the shaft 226 and draw rollers 230 carried thereby, toward the axis of the shaft 234. The draw rollers 234) may thus be separated from the draw roller 220. Extending through a portion of each of the bearing caps 236 is a spring retainer stud 240, and each of the spring retainer studs 2410 has mounted therearound and extending beyond the end thereofinto contact with the respective bearing blocks 228, an extension spring 242. It will be seen that the extension springs 242 effectively bias the bearing boxes 228 toward the axis of the shaft 216 so as to maintain frictional contact between the draw rollers 230 and the draw roller 220 when the handle 238 is in the illustrated position.

The mill roll assembly 22 of the invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 and 4. As shown in these figures, the mill roll assembly 22 includes a large mill roll 24 of wrapping paper which is mounted upon a roll shaft 250 having its opposite ends joumaled in bearing brackets 252 secured to opposite sides of a mill roll framework designated generally by reference numeral 254 and having sidewalls 255. The sidewalls 255 of the framework 254 journal a brake shaft 256 which has secured to the central portio-a .hereof, a brake band 258 which exerts a drag on the peripheral surface of the mill roll 24 to prevent it from overrunning during the withdrawal of a web of paper 260 therefrom. A handle 262 is secured to the brake band shaft 256 at one end thereof outside of the framework 254, and a locking pin 264 extends through this handle into a registering aperture in the adjacent sidewall 255 of the framework 254 to permit the handle to be rotated to tension the brake band 258, and the handle locked in a set position when the tensioning is thus accomplished.

For the purpose of raising and lowering the mill roll 24 of wrapping paper, the bearing brackets 252 are each secured to an elongated rack 266 which is slidably mounted in a rack guide 268. The racks 266 are elevated and lowered by means of a handle 270 which, through suitable gearing 272, drives each of the racks in an up and down reciprocating motion to move the bearing brackets 252 upwardly or downwardly. Thus, the mill roll 24 can be rolled into a position in which the shaft 250 extends over the bearing brackets 252, and then may be lifted up to a position where it clears the floor as illustrated in FlGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings. Extending from the mill roll 24 to the upper portion of the framework 14 is the web or strip 260 of wrapping paper hereinbefore described. The strip 260 is passed over a series of guide rollers 274, 276, 278 and 280 so that it is in substantially horizontal alignment with the draw roll assembly 26.

The upper and lower flap folder assemblies 40 and 42 are best illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings. It will here be noted that the upper flap folder assembly 40 includes a transversely extending bracket 232 which is secured across the upper edges of the parallel apertured sideplates 18 defining the wrapping chamber of the apparatus, and further includes a pair of transversely extending, parallel brace plates 284 secured to the side edges of the bracket 282 and extending between the parallel apertured sideplates 18. Mounted on the bracket 282 are three horizontally spaced, aligned air cylinders 286, 288 and 290.

The air cylinders 286 and 290 have extending therefrom, a pair of piston rods 292 which, upon extension, project downwardly through suitable apertures into the wrapping chamber defined between the sidewalls 18, the horizontal bottom plate 119, and the adjustable top plate 21. The air cylinder 2&8 has a piston rod 294 which extends from opposite ends thereof and carries a piston at a medial portion of the rod located within the air cylinder. The upper end portion of the piston rod 294 is secured to an angle brace 296 which extends transversely with respect to the wrapping chamber and which has secured to the horizontal flange thereof, a plurality of flap folding rods 298. The rods 298 are positioned for extension through aligned apertures formed in the bracket 282 and in the adjustable top plate 21 so that their lower ends can be extended and retracted through these aligned apertures as a result of actuation of the air cylinder 288.

The lower flap folder assembly 42 is similarly constructed to the upper flap folder assembly 40 and includes air cylinders 300, 302 and 304 which are secured to the lower side of the horizontal bottom plate 19 in horizontally spaced, aligned relation. The cylinders 306 and 304 contain pistons secured to one end of piston rods 306 which are extendible through apertures in the horizontal bottom plate 19 into the wrapping chamber. The cylinder 302 has an elongated piston rod 308 extending thereinto and projectable upon actuation of this cylinder from either of the opposite ends of the cylinder. When the piston rod 308 is projected from the upper end of the cylinder 302, it may be extended through an aperture formed in the horizontal bottom plate 19. The lower end of the piston rod 308 is secured to an angle bracket 310 to which are secured in horizontally spaced relation, the lower ends ofa plurality offlap folding rods 312. The flap folding rods 312 are positioned in substantially horizontal alignment with the piston rods 306 and 308 and are aligned with apertures in the horizontal bottom plate 19. it may be noted at this point that all of the piston rods and flap folding rods constituting parts of both the upper and lower flap folding folder assemblies 40 and 42 are aligned in a vertical plane which is located at about the position where the pusher plate 128 is located at the end of the extension stroke of the piston rod 126 of the transfer unit assembly 38.

The adhesive applicator assembly 44 of the invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. l2, l3 and 11. As here depicted, the adhesive applicator assembly 44 includes a frame mounting plate 338 which is secured to one of the parallel apertured sideplates E8 of the framework 14. A. cylinder mounting plate 320 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the mounting plate 318 and extends across a relatively large aperture 322 formed in the frame mounting plate. A piston rod opening 32d is formed in the cylinder mounting plate 320 in alignment with the opening 322 formed in the frame mounting plate 3th. The aligned openings 322 and 32 3 thus accommodate a piston rod 326 which extends horizontally from an air cylinder 32th attached by suitable bolts to the air cylinder mounting plate 320. The air cylinder 32% is mounted on the framework M through the instrumentalities of the mounting plates 3th and 32 h in such a way that its piston rod 326 will be extended outwardly at a slight angle with respect to a transverse plane extending between the apertured sideplates i3 within the wrapping chamber. The reason for this angularity of the piston rod 326 will be hereinafter explained.

Secured to one side of the housing of the air cylinder 328 is a backplate 330. Spaced horizontally from the backplate 33h by means of suitable space bars 332 are a pair of outer plates 334 (see FIG. lld) which define slide channels 336 in which flanges 337 carried by slide member 33% are slidably positioned. The slide member 33% also includes a second pair of outwardly projecting flanges 34m. The flanges 3 th of the slide member 33% receive a pair of horizontally spaced elongated tubular members 342 and 3 M which extend parallel to the air cylinder 32%.

The tubular member 34-2 is connected at its end nearest the outer end of the air cylinder 32% to a source of compressed air (not shown), and has its other end portion extending through a bronze bearing 3i6 disposed in the cylinder mounting plate 320. The second tubular member 3nd has its end nearest the outer end of the air cylinder 32% connected to a source of liquid paste or adhesive (not shown), and has its other end extended through a bronze bearing 350 disposed in the cylinder mounting plate 320. The ends of the tubular members M2 and 344 opposite their ends connected to the source oi compressed air and source of liquid paste, respectively, pass through suitable openings and seals formed in a generally L- shaped paste head bracket 352 and are respectively connected through suitable fittings 354 to air intake conduit 356 and paste intake conduit 358, respectively, mounted on the paste head bracket.

It will also be noted in referring to H8. 13 that the free outer end of the piston rod 326 is secured to the paste head bracket 352. Thus, as the piston 326 is extended out of the air cylinder 32%, the paste head bracket 352 will be moved outwardly due to its securement to the end of the piston rod, and this outward movement will carry with it, the tubular members 342 and 3dd which are free to slide through the bearings 346 and 350 and are slidably supported on the air cylinder 323 as a result of their attachment to the slide member 33h.

Mounted in the angle of the L-shaped paste head bracket 352 is a paste head 36'!)v The paste head 366 includes a paste ejection nozzle 362 which is threaded into a suitable bore in the paste head 360 and has a hollow interior communicating with an air channel 364 and a paste channel 366 formed in the paste head. The air intake conduit 356, hereinbefore described, supplies air through a suitable fitting 368 to the air channel 36d in the paste head. Paste is supplied to the paste channel 366 by a suitable paste conduit 3'76 connected to the paste head through a suitable fitting 372. The paste conduit 370 is connected at its end opposite the fitting 372 through a suitable fitting 37d to a paste valve 376 which is mounted on the outer side of one of the legs to the L-shrpcd paste head bracket 332. The paste valve 31'6 is interposed in the paste intake conduit 35% and is opened and closed during operation of the apparatus by means of a valve operator member 37%. The valve operator member 378 is secured to a cam arm 3th) which carries at its outer end a roller 382. The connection between the roller 332, cam arm 3M9 and valve operator member 37% is such that when the roller engages an object which biases it and the cam arm 31% toward the air cylinder 328, the valve operator member 378 will be moved to open the paste valve 376 and permit paste to flow from the paste intake conduit 35% to the paste conduit 376.

The seam to is best iliustr sern'oiy i l otl'rerwise sui 1b to. The ltl-sh formed t in used for mounting to the bracket 3%, an elongated air cylinder The mounting plate 3%; is also apertured to accommodate a piston rod 396 which is extensible from the cylinder 3%, and which has secured to its free outer end, a rolier mounting bracket designated generally by reference numeral 3'98. The roller mounting bracke 398 includes a pair of parallel flanges l/hilt which project away from the cylinder 394 and are each provided with an oversized aperture or slot imit, which apertures loosely receive the opposite ends of a roller mounting shaft i Ill.

The roller mounting shah dtifii has journaled thereon by the use of suitable bearings ant, a seam roller l/0d. The shaft W2 is yielclably supported in the oversized apertures dtiii by springs dill 6 which extend against the shaft dill; from a pair of spring bores formed in the flanges W0. Thus, some yielding of the shaft dtiil can occur against the resilient bias of the springs dtl fi when the roiier ltid encounters an immovable surface tending to force the roller toward the springs,

Secured to a. t 1 ii forming a portion of the roller mounting brac end of a guide rod or tube M2. The guide rod extends through a bushing did in the cylinder mountii plate and further extends parallel to the cylinder 39d. Une end portion of the guide rod 412 is secured to a flange are forming a portion of an elongated slide member designated generally by reference numeral 4Tb. Slide member did is constructed generally similarly to the elongated slide member hereinbefore discussed and is mounted on the cylinder 39d for sliding movement relative thereto. it will be noted in referring to F1633 and M that the seam roller assen'ibly t i is positioned in substantially horizon tal alignment with the adhesive applicator assembly i i and with the upper and lower fiap roller assemblies it) and 42, respectively,

The udjustahie top plate 2i can be adjusted upwardly or downwardiy to match the horirontal level of the upper platen panel [l t by the use of the mechanism best illustrated in FlGS. El, 43, and ts here shown, a pair (ii-"transverse gir'ts im and dim extend bet u, and have their opposite ends secured to, the sidewalls lo. i he Ti and 429 each carry a pair of horizontally spaced bearing blocks 421 which each rotatably journal at flanged portion of a worm gear unit carrying a worm gear T22 at the upper end thereof, A threaded bolt 4 2 1 is threaded through a threaded bore formed vertically and axially through each of the worm gear units and has its head secured to the adjustable top plate fill.

The four worm gears ar'" aligned in two pairs with the gears in each pair in carried on a shaft dun; with n v m &2 52d. Each of the shaft are journaled 1n shaft brackets 425 secured to, and nroje vertically from, the girts 4 119 and H6 (see HUS. and '1"). one ofits ends, each shaft 424 has keyed thereto a miter d261, The miter gears 426 mesh with rniter gears lit-1" keyed to a transversely extending shaft was which has one of its end portions journaled in a bracket. secured to the sidewall illil ol the framework M, and its other end portion journaled in a bracket 13(1) secured to the girt dirt). A bundle did is secured to the end of the shaft 423 which projects through the bracket T29.

The bag delivery assembly it in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, comprises a plurality of rollers 4 23 which are rotatabiy mounted in roller supporting brackets Mid and T36 supported in any suitable way on the framework lidof the apparatus, or from the floor upon which the framework rests. The rollers i carry a continuous belt onto which compressed and wrapped bales of bags are moved from the banding chamber located between the apertured sidewalls T8. The bag delivery assembly functions to convey these wrapped bales oicompressed b g to a table (not shown) where the end flaps oi the wrappers extending around the compressed bags can be tucked and sealed preparatory to shipment. As will be hereinafter explained, the compressed, wrapped bales positioned within the wrapping chamber between the apertured sidewalls 18 are discharged from this chamber by the forced introduction of a new stack of bags under compression into the chamber as the transfer unit assembly 38 is operated.

In FIG. 16 of the drawings, an electrical wiring diagram is depicted which illustrates the basic circuitry utilized in the banding press of the invention. In referring to this circuit diagram, reference should also be made to the several figures of the drawing where certain switches utilized for actuating solenoid valves in the pneumatic flow lines have been illustrated. In FIG. 16, there are depicted six relays R-I through R-6, and these are shown mounted on an instrument panel 450 above a terminal block 452. Also illustrated in FIG, 3 are the locations of a plurality of solenoid type valves which are positioned in the several pneumatic or air supply lines used for actuating the air cylinders in a manner hereinafter described. These valves, designated by reference numerals 454 through 470 are electrically operated by the opening and closing of a plurality of switches in a timed sequence and for functions hereinafter described.

The several switches utilized in the electrical circuitry for the operation of the valves 454-470 are illustrated in their various locations in the various figures of the drawings, and are shown in their electrical relationship to the valves 454- 470 and to the relays R-1R-6 in FIG. 16 of the drawings. Thus, a microswitch 472 is positioned on the framework 14 in a position to be either manually closed, or closed by the introduction of a stack of bags into the framework 14 in a position of rest on the lower platen panel 50. A switch 474 is mounted on the framework 14 in a position to be contacted and closed by a switch trip 476 secured to the platen support beam 52 when the lower platen panel 50 is reciprocated upwardly to its full extent by means of the air cylinders 66 and piston rods 64.

A normally closed switch 478 is mounted adjacent the outer end of the air cylinder 124 and is adapted to be opened and closed by the movement of a switch trip rod 480 which is slidably mounted on a suitable support bracket on the side of the air cylinder 124 and has one of its ends connected to the pusher plate 128 for reciprocating motion therewith. It will be understood from the following description that when the piston rod 126 is fully retracted, the switch trip rod 480 will be brought into contact with the switch 478 so that this switch will be opened.

The switch trip rod 480 also carries a protuberance which will contact and trip a switch 484 secured to the cylinder mounting plate 122 adjacent the forward end of the air cylinder 124 when the piston rod 126 is fully extended. The switch 484 is a normally closed switch which is opened by this contact with the protuberance of the switch trip rod 480. Spaced along the path of travel of the switch trip rod 480 is another switch 486 which is a normally open switch which is closed only during the retraction stroke of the switch trip rod 480.

Located in the path of reciprocating movement of the cutoff knife 174 so that as this blade is retracted, it will be opened, is a normally closed switch 488. Conversely, the switch 488 will be opened when the knife blade reciprocates in a direction to cut the web ofpaper 260 as hereinafter described.

Mounted on the lower end of the air cylinder R58 is a switch 490 which is closed by the retraction of the piston rod 156 which is secured to the spaced sheets 146 and 148 of the lower paper guide assembly 32. A switch 494 is secured to the upper end of the air cylinder 286 so that, as the piston rod 294 is retracted within the air cylinder 288 to lower the angle bracket 296, the switch 494 is contacted and is closed. Mounted near the inner end of the air cylinder 328 is a normally closed switch 496 which is opened by a switch trip 498 carried on and movable with the slide member 338 at a time when the piston rod 326 is fully extended from the air cylinder 328.

At the opposite end of the air cylinder 328 from the switch 496, a switch 500 is mounted on this air cylinder andis also located for contact and closure by the switch trip 498 when the piston rod is fully retracted within the cylinder 328. Secured to the lower end of the air cylinder 300 are normally open switches 502 and 504, which switches are closed when the piston rod 368 is retracted within the cylinder 302 to move the angle brace 310 in toward the outer ends of the cylinders 300, 302 and 304. A normally closed switch 506 is mounted near the inner end of the air cylinder 394 and is positioned for contact by a switch trip 508 mounted on the slide member 418 when the piston rod 396 is fully extended from the air cylinder 394. Mounted intermediate the length of this air cylinder are a normally closed switch 510 and a normally open switch 512 which are opened and closed, respectively, during the retraction of the piston rod 396 into the air cylinder 394. Finally, a pair of normally closed switches 514 and 516 are contacted by the switch trip 508 at a time when the piston rod 396 has completed its retractive stroke into the air cylinder 394 so that these switches are at this time opened.

Before commencing the full and detailed description of the operation of the invention, the action of the switches and valves in the circuitry depicted in FIG. 16 may initially be described to aid in clarifying the overall description to follow. Thus, at the outset of the operation of the banding press, the switch 472 is depressed causing the relay R-1 to close, with the switch 484 at this time acting as an electrical interlock to hold in the relay. When the relay R-1 closes, the valves 454 and 456 shift, causing the piston rods 64 to be retracted in the cylinders 66. When the piston rods 64 are retracted in the cylinders 66 completely, the switch 474 is contacted and closed, causing the valve 458 to open to admit air to the cylinder 124. This causes the piston rod 126 to be extended and the result is that switch 478 is released to become open, causing the valve 460 to open to deliver air to the cylinder 1'70, and thus extend the cutoff knife 174.

When the piston rod 126 is fully extended, the switch 484 is opened, thus releasing relay R-1 and therefore permitting valves 454 and 456 to shift in a manner which will cause the extension of the piston rods 64 from the air cylinders 66. When these piston rods commence to extend, the switch 474 is opened, causing the valve 458 to shift, resulting in the retraction of the piston rod 126 into the cylinder 124. As the piston rod 126 is retracted, the switch 486 is contacted by the switch trip 480 so that this switch is closed. Also, at the completion of the retraction stroke of the piston rod 126, the switch 478 is contacted and opened. The opening of the switch 478 causes the valve 460 to be thrown, thus effecting the retraction of the cutoff knife 174.

As this knife is retracted, the switch 488 is depressed to open this switch. This closes the relay R2, and the switch 516 at this time is closed and acts as an el ctrical interlock to hold in the relay. The closure of the relay R-Z causes the valve 462 to be shifted, and this in turn introduces air to the cylinder 158 to retract the piston rod 156 causing the lower paper guide assembly 32 to be reciprocated upwardly. As the toe portion 154 forming a portion of this assembly reaches its uppermost limit of travel, it contacts and closes the normally open switch 490 which energizes a timer 520 which operates the draw roll motor and speed reducer 214 to feed a measured amount of paper into and through the upper paper guide assembly 30 and the lower paper guide assembly 32.

When switch 486 is depressed by the retraction of the piston 126 into the cylinder 124, the relay R-3 closes and the normally closed switch 514 acts at this time as an electrical interlock. The closure of the relay R3 causes the valve 464 to shift, thus introducing air to the cylinders 286, 288 and 290 to actuate the upper flap folding assembly 40 and move the rods 292 and 298 into the wrapping chamber. When the piston rod 294 has been fully retracted within the air cylinder 288, the switch 494 is closed to close relay R-4. At this time, the switch 496 acts as an interlock holding in the relay. The closure of the relay R-4 causes the valve 466 to be thrown, thus introducing air to the air cylinder 328 to extend the piston rod 326 therefrom.

When the piston rod 326 is fully extended from the air cylinder 328, the switch 496 is opened, causing the relay R-4 to open. This permits the valve 466 to return to its initial position so as to return the air cylinder 328 to its initial status and retract the piston rod 326. When the piston rod 326 is fully retracted within the air cylinder 328, the switch 500 is closed to close the relay RS. At this time, the switch 510 acts as an electrical interlock for the relay RS. When the relay R-S is closed, the valve 468 is thrown, introducing air to the air cylinders 300, 302 and 304 in a way to cause the retraction of the piston rod 308 and extend the rods 306 and 312 of the lower flap folding assembly into the wrapping chamber. When the piston rod 308 is fully retracted in the air cylinder 302, the switches 502 and 504 are both closed by contact with the angle brace 310. This causes the relay 11-6 to close, and it is held closed by the switch 506 which acts an an electrical interlock.

When the relay R6 closes, the valve 470 is thrown, causing air to be introduced to the cylinder 394 so that the piston rod 396 is extended therefrom. When the piston rod 396 is fully extended from the air cylinder 394, the switch 506 is opened, causing the relay R-6 to open. This throws the valve 470, thus retracting the piston rod 396 within the air cylinder 394. When the piston rod 396 is partially retracted, switch 510 is opened and switch 512 is closed. When switch 510 is opened, the relay RS opens. This throws the valve 468 which effects the extension of the piston rod 308 from the cylinder 302. When the switch 512 is closed by the movement of the switch trip 508 during actuation of the air cylinder 394, the relay R-6 closes and the switch 506 at this time acts as an electrical interlock. This causes the valve 468 to be thrown, in turn causing the piston rod 396 to be extended from the air cylinder 394. When the piston rod 396 is fully extended from the air cylinder 394, the switch 506 is again opened causing the relay R-6 to open. This throws the valve 468, again effecting the retraction of the piston rod 396 within the air cylinder 394. When the piston rod 396 is fully retracted within the air cylinder 394, the normally closed switches 514 and 516 are opened. The opening of the switch 514 opens relay R-3 which causes the valve 464 to be thrown, thus effecting extension of the piston rod 294 from the air cylinder 288. When the switch 516 is opened, the relay R2 is opened, which causes the valve 458 to be thrown. This causes the piston rod 156 to be extended from the air cylinder 158 to return the lower paper guide assembly 32 to its lowered original position.

OPERATION 1n the operation of the apparatus for the compression and wrapping of bags as constructed in accordance with the invention, and in the practice of the method of the invention, there are initially placed on the bag supporting plate 12, a stack of vertically superimposed, aligned, flat bags which it is desired to compress and wrap or band for the purpose of storage or shipment of the bags. From the bag supporting plate 12, this stack of bags is pushed or moved by any suitable means into the banding press 10 where the stack occupies a position on the upper surface of the platen panel 50 forming a portion of the lower platen assembly 36. Here the bags are confined between the sideplates of the framework 14 and the metal sheet 148 of the lower paper guide assembly 32.

When the switch 472 is momentarily closed, the relay R-1 is closed and is held in by the interlock switch 484. With the clo sure of the relay R-1, valves 454 and 456 are thrown, permitting the air flow to the two air cylinders 66 to be such that the piston rods 64 are retracted. The retraction of the piston rods 64 in the slots 54 lifts the platen support beam 52 upwardly, carrying with it the platen panel 50 and the stack of bags supported thereon.

During the upward travel of the lower platen assembly 36, the platen panel 50 is maintained in proper horizontal alignment, and does not sustain distortion as a result of any bending moment imposed thereon by the stack of bags, because of the mechanical support and reinforcement afforded by the engagement of the gears 60 with the vertically extending racks 62. Thus, these gears 60 track the racks 62 as the lower platen panel 50 and the platen support beam 52 by which it is supported move upwardly.

After the uppermost bag in the stack of bags carried on the platen panel 50 contacts the upper platen panel 84, the bags within the stack commence to undergo compression, with the air contained within the bags being expressed therefrom. The upward reciprocation of the lower platen panel 50 continues until the upper limit of the retraction stroke of the piston rods 64 is reached. At this time, the stack of bags is fully com pressed, and the lower platen panel 50 is aligned with the horizontal bottom plate 19 forming the bottom of the wrapping chamber. It should further be pointed out at this point that variations in the extent of compression, or in the size of the stack of bags to be compressed, can be accommodated or adjusted by manipulation of the adjustable upper platen assembly 34. Thus, by rotation of the handle 104 after the securing bolts or studs have been loosened, the worm gear units 76 may be driven in rotation to raise or lower the upper platen panel 84 to a selected position. A corresponding adjustment in the adjustable top plate 21 of the wrapping chamber will need to be concurrently made, and this adjustment is accomplished by rotation of the handle 431.

When the stack of bags has been compressed by the retraction of the piston rods 64 to their limit of travel upwardly in the air cylinders 66, the switch 474 is closed by the switch plate 476. Closure of the switch 474 actuates the valve 458 positioned in the air supply so as to extend the piston rod 126 from the air cylinder 124 in the transfer unit assembly 38. As the piston rod 126 is extended, it pushes the pusher plate 128 toward the compressed stack of bags. When the piston rod 126 begins to extend from the cylinder 124, the switch 478 is opened, causing the valve 460 to shift so as to deliver air to the air cylinder 170. This causes the cutoff knife 174 to reciprocate through the web 260 of wrapping paper immediately prior to the forcing of the bale or stack of compressed bags through the severed, lower portion of this web as hereinafter described. The reciprocating movement of the pusher plate 128 carries with it, the several plunger plates 132 which are reciprocably mounted in the slots 133 in the upper end portion of the pusher plate 128. The plunger plates 132 are, of course, vertically yieldable due to their vertically sliding mounting in the pusher plate 128, and they are maintained in the elevated position permitted by the adjusted location of the upper platen panel 84 by the rollers 136 which track the lower surface of this platen panel. The combined pushing effect of the pusher plate 128 and the plunger plates 132 effectively displaces the compressed stack of bags from between the upper and lower platen assemblies 34 and 36, respectively, and toward the wrapping chamber.

At the time that the pusher plate 128 and plunger plates 132 carried thereby drive the compressed bale from between the upper and lower platen assemblies 34 and 36, a web of wrapping paper has been extended between the rigid sheets 140 of the upper paper guide assembly 30, across the space between the rear edges of the upper platen panel 84 and lower platen panel 50, and between the rigid sheets 146 and 148 of the lower paper guide assembly 32 which, at this time, is in the lowered position depicted in FIG. 4. With the web or strip of wrapping paper thus positioned, the continued movement of the compressed stack or bale of bags in a horizontal direction through the vertical plane occupied by the paper web in the machine will result in the compressed stack being encompassed on three sides by the wrapping paper, with flaps of the paper extending from the upper and lower edges of the stack toward the air cylinder 124. As the bale or stack is moved further into the wrapping chamber by a distance approximately equivalent to twice the thickness of the stack, the upper and lower flaps of the wrapper extend horizontally from the top and bottom sides of the stack beneath the portions of the adjustable top plate 21 and the horizontal bottom plate 19 which have been traversed by the compressed stack or bale.

When the piston rod 126 is extended from the cylinder 124, the valve 484 is opened, causing the relay R-l to open which throws the valves 454 and 458, thus extending the piston rods 64 from the cylinders 66 and returning the lower platen assembly 36 to its lowermost or original position. As the piston rods 64 commence to be extended from the pistons 66, the switch 474 is released, throwing the valve 458, and causing the piston rod 126 to be retracted within the cylinder 124. As the piston rod 126 is retracted, the switch 486 is closed followed by the opening of the switch 478 by contact with the switch trip 480.

When the switch 478 is opened, the valve 460 is thrown so as to effect the retraction of the cutoff knife 474 by proper actuation of the air cylinder 170. This retraction of the cutoff knife closes the switch 488 which energizes the relay R-2. The relay R-2 is held in by the switch 516. Energization of the relay R-Z throws the valve 462 so as to cause the piston rod 156 to be retracted within theair cylinder 158. This actuation of the air cylinder 158 results in the upward reciprocation of the lower paper guide assembly 32 so that the tapered upper edges of the rigid sheets 146 and 148 forming a portion of this assembly are moved upwardly into close proximity to the tapered lower edges of the rigid sheets 140 forming a portion of the upper paper guide assembly 30.

In this position, the sets of upper and lower spaced rigid sheets are aligned, and form a substantially continuous channel for the feeding of paper thereinto by the draw roll as sembly 26. When the piston rod 156 has been fully retracted into the air cylinder 158, the switch 490 is struck by the protuberance carried on the toe portion 154 so as to close this switch. Closure of the switch 490 energizes the timer 520, and also makes a circuit to the motor of the motor-gear reducer combination 214. The timer 520'is set to drive the motor for a predetermined period of time so as to feed an exact measured amount of paper into the aligned, adjacent upper and lower paper guide assemblies and 32, respectively.

When the switch 486 is closed by the full retraction of the piston rod 126 within the cylinder 124, the relay R-3 closes and is held in by the interlock switch 514. This causes the valve 464 to be thrown, and introduces air to the air cylinders 286, 288 and 290'. The piston rod 294 is retracted in the air cylinder 288, and the piston rods 292 are extended from the air cylinders 286 and 290. With the retraction of the piston rod 294 into the air cylinder 288, the angle brace 296 is drawn downwardly toward the wrapping chamber and the flap holding rods 298 are extended through apertures in the bracket 282 and in the adjustable top plate 21 into the wrapping chamber. Simultaneously, the piston rods 298 and 292 are being extended from the air cylinders 286 and 290, respectively. This action of the flap holding rods 298'and the piston rods 292 forces down the horizontally extending top flap of the severed paper web, and moves it to a position in which it partially covers the fourth or trailing side of the compressed stack of bags. Thus, the top flap or top extension of the severed wrapper is folded down to a position in substantial parallelism with the fourth side of the bag stack.

When the piston rod 294 is fully retracted within the air cylinder 288, the switch 494 is closed to close relay R-4 which is held in by the interlock switch 496. The closure-of the relay R-4 causesthe valve 466 to be thrown. This actuation of the valve 466 changes the status of the air cylinder 328 forming a part of the adhesive'applicator assembly 44 so that the piston rod 326 is extended therefrom into the wrapping chamber.

It will be recalled that the air cylinder 328 and piston rod 326 have been described as having their major longitudinal axes extending at a slight angle with respect to a vertical plane positioned transversely across the wrapping chamber. The reason for this angulation is to assure that the roller 382 forming a portion of the adhesive applicator assembly 44 will maintain continuous contact with the folded down upper flap of the wrapping paper as the paste head 360 carried at the end of the piston rod 326 traverses the compressed bale.'Thus, as the piston rod 326 is extended, the roller 382 will contact the folded down top flap of the wrapper, and will forcelthis top flap against the vertical side of the stack of compressed bags.

This contact will bias the roller 382 and the cam arm 380 carried thereby in a direction to move the valve operator member 378 and open the paste valve 376. The paste will then flow to the paste ejection nozzle 362 where it will be mixed with ajet of air delivered to the paste head 360 from the tubular member 342. Thus, as soon as the roller 382 contacts the wrapping paper and forces it against the adjacent side of the bale of compressed bags, a fine spray of paste or suitable adhesive will be discharged from the nozzle 362 along a horizontal line extending across the wrapping paper adjacent from the edge thereof which was formerly severed by the cutter knife assembly 28. At the time that the piston rod 326 commences to be extended from the air cylinder 328, air jets (not shown) which face the trailing side of the compressed stack of bags located in the banding chamber are activated so as to blow the ends of the wrapper sheet against the track of bags.

When the piston rod 326 has been fully extended, the switch 496 is opened, thus causing the relay R-4 to open. This shifts the valve 466 and causes the status of the cylinder 328 to be reversed, and the piston rod 326 to be retracted. When the piston rod 326 is fully retracted within the air cylinder 328, the switch 500 is closed so that the relay R-5 is closed and is held in by the normally closed switch 510. With the closure of relay R-S, the valve 468 is thrown which causes the piston rod 308 to be retracted within the air cylinder 302 and the piston rods 306 to be extended from air cylinders 300 and 304.

As the piston rod 308 is retracted within the air cylinder 302, the flap folding rods 312 are extended into the wrapping chamber simultaneously with the extension in coplanar alignment therewith of the piston rod 306. Now the result of this movement of the flap folding rods 312 and piston rod 306 is to fold upwardly through a right angle, the horizontally extending bottom flap of the wrapper paper. This flap is thus brought upwardly to where it overlaps the previously downwardly folded upper or top flap of the wrapper paper. The overlap of the flaps is such that the bottom flap extends over the line along which glue has been applied during the reciprocating stroke of the piston rod 326 of the adhesive applicator assembly 44 as hereinbefore described.

When the piston rod 308 is fully retracted within the cylinder 302, the switch 502 is closed and the switch 504 is also closed by contact of the angle bracket 310 with this switch (see FIG. 11). A closure of these switches causes the relay R-6 to close, and the switch 506 acts as an interlock switch for the relay. When the relay R-6 closes, the valve 470 is shifted to cause the piston rod 396 to be extended from the air cylinder 394 forming a part of the seam roller assembly 46. As the piston rod 396 extends outwardly from the cylinder 394, the roller 404 carried in the roller mounting bracket 398 engages and bears against the overlapped top and bottom flaps of the wrapper paper along a line which overlies the line along which glue has previously been applied to the underlying top flap. The roller 404 applies bonding pressure along this seam according to the amount of compression which has been set in the springs 406'. During the extension of the piston rod 396, air jets (not shown) located on opposite sides of the banding press are activated to blow the ends of the wrapper sheet against the bags and prevent fouling of these on the reciprocating roller 404 or roller mounting bracket 398. After the piston rod 396 has been fully extended, and the roller 404 has completed traversal of the overlapped top and bottom flaps or wrapper extensions along the seam line, the switch 506 is opened, causing the relay R-6 to open. This throws the valve 470 to reverse the status of the air cylinder 394 and retract the piston rod 396. As the piston rod 396 is undergoing its retraction stroke, and before full retraction is effected, the switch trip 508 finally contacts and opens switch 510 and contacts and closes switch 512.

When the switch 510 is opened, the relay R-S is released or opened. With the release of the relay lR-5, the valve 468 is shifted, causing the piston rod 308 to be extended from the cylinder 3 02, and the piston rods 30b to be retracted into the air cylinders Bill) and 304. When the switch 512. is closed, the relay R-h is closed and is held in by the interlock switch 506. The closure of the relay R45 causes the valve M to shift. This causes the status of the cylinder 3% to again be reversed so that the piston rod 396 is again extended therefrom, and the roller 40% again undergoes a stroke across the seam line of the overlapped top and bottom flaps of the wrapper paper.

When the piston rod 396 is fully extended, the switch 506 is opened, causing relay R-o to open. This throws the valve 470 so as to reverse the status of the air cylinder 394, and retract the piston rod 356 within this cylinder. It will be apparent from the description of the action of the seam roller assembly 46 that a double stroke is made by this assembly so that the roller 4% is passed twice across the seam line where the top and bottom flaps of the wrapper paper are overlapped.

When the piston rod 3% is fully retracted within the cylinder 3%, the switch 5M is opened and the switch 516 is also opened. With the opening of the switch 514, the relay R-3 is opened which causes the valve 4% to be shifted. Shifting of the valve was retracts the piston rods 292 within the cylinders 2&6 and 29d) and also effects the extension of the piston rod 2% from the air cylinder 2%. Thus, the flap folding rods 298 are withdrawn upwardly from the wrapping chamber, as are the piston rods 292. When the switch 516 is opened by the complete retraction of the piston rod 396 within the cylinder 394, the relay R-2 is opened. This causes the valve 45% to shift with the result that the piston rod 156 is extended from the cylinder 158 to return the lower paper guide assembly 32 to its lowermost position, and to thus stretch or carry the paper web across the path through which the compressed bale is moved when the cycle hcreinbefore described is repeated.

, slide members 562 of the lower paper guide assembly 556) at As each successive compressed bale or stack 01 bags is forced into the wrapping chamber by the periodic actuation of the transfer unit assembly 38, a bale of bags which has previously been wrapped about on four sides, with the wrapper paper secured by gluing and bonding in the manner described, is forcedout of the wrapping chamber and onto the bag delivery assembly 45. Here, the wrapped bale rests upon the continuous belt 438 and is carried by this belt to a remote location, such as a wrapping table, where the open ends of the wrapper are tucked in and sealed, and the packaging of the compressed bags is completed in that manner.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17-24. In this embodiment of the invention, structural elementscorresponding in construction and in function to those which have previously been described herein are indicated by identical reference numerals to those previously employed. FIG. 17 corresponds to FIG. 4 except for its showing of structural modifications in the lower paper guide assembly, designated in FIG. 17 by reference numeral 550, the upper flap folder assembly 552 and the lower flap assembly, designated generally by reference numeral 554.

Referring initially to the lower paper guide assembly 550, this assembly, in the modified embodiment, includes a pneumatically actuated cylinder 556 which has positioned therein, a piston connected to a downwardly extending piston rod 558. At its lower end, the piston rod 558 is secured to a transversely extending horizontal plate 560. The plate 560 is secured to four horizontally spaced, vertically extending slide members 562 (see FIG. 18). The vertically extending slide members 562 have longitudinally extending slots 564 in the opposite sides thereofas shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, and the slide members are guided by rollers 566 engaging the slots 564 on opposite sides of each member, and mounted in supporting brackets 563 which are secured to the under side of the horizontal bottom plate 19.

When the piston rod 55%} is retracted in the cylinder 556, the vertically extending slide members 562 are reciprocatcd upwardly while guided by the paired rollers 56%, and the slide members move across the entrance to the wrapping chamber and into a position where the upper ends of the slide members are in juxtaposition to the lower end of the outermost of the metal sheets Mil. forming the upper paper guide assembly 39. The vertically extending slide members 552 thus form one side of a channel for guiding the paper downwardly as it is fed from the upper paper guide assembly as hereinbefore described.

The opposite side of the channel for guiding the downwardly moving wrapping paper as it is fed from the upper paper guide assembly 30 is formed by a pair of vertically extending angle iron guide members 572. The angle iron guide members 572 have secured between them a stack guiding plate S74l (see FIG. 119) which functions to guide the stack of bags which is to be wrapped at such time as this stack is elevated on the lower platen panel 50.. it will be apparent that the bag stack will normally be of a transverse width which permits it to be fitted between the vertically extending guide members 572 so that it will bear against the upwardly extending stack guiding plate 574i as the stack is being elevated. The

vertically extending guide members 572 are retained in the illustrated position by an upper pair of horizontally extending brace members 576 which extend from the members 572 to the vertically extending racks 62 on opposite sides of the framework. A second pair of lower brace members 578 is secured between the lower end portions of the vertically extending guide members 572 and the racks 62 in similar fashion.

It will be noted that the upper end portions of the vertically extending guide members 572 have their rear surfaces substantially aligned with the inside surface of the innermost metal sheet M0 forming a portion of the upper paper guide assembly 30. Thus, in cooperation with the vertically extending such time as these vertically extending members are elevated in the manner described, the verticaliy extending guide members 572 form a channel into which the wrapping paper may be fed from the upper paper guide assembly 30. From what has previously been said relative to the horizontal spacing of the vertically extending guide members 572, it will be apparent that the stack of bags, following compression, can be pushed into the wrapping chamber by the transfer unit assembly 38 by moving the stack between the vertically extending guide members 572.

The modified upper flap folder assembly 552 is best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 22. As is here shown, the upper flap folder assembly 552. includes a pneumatic cylinder 582 which is secured through a suitable bracket 5% to the upper surface of the adjustable top plate 21, and which has extending upwardly therefrom, a piston rod 586. At its upper end, the piston rod is connected to a cylinder tie plate 588. The cylinder tie plate is secured to the back of a flap folding plate 59% in the manner best illustrated in Fl-G. 22. The flap folder plate 590 terminates in a curved or arcuate lower end 551, and has secured along the opposite vertical edges thereof, a pair of vertically extending racks 592. The racks 592 each carry teeth which engage gears 594 which are rotatably journaled in bearing boxes 596 which are secured to the upper side of the adjustable top plate 21. It will be noted in referring to FIG. 17 that the lower end 5911 of the flap folding plate 5% is curved to prevent tearing or ripping the wrapping paper as the flap folding plate descends when the piston rod 536 is retracted in the cylinder 5&2. It will also be noted that the top plate 21 has a transversely extending slot 598 therein which accommodates the lower end portion of the flap folding plate 590, and also permits the lower ends of the racks 552 to reciprocate downwardly into the flap folding chamber. The curved lower end 591 of the flap folding plate 590 extends to a lower position than the lower ends of the racks 597; so that the lower end of the flap folding plate contacts the flap of the wrapping paper which is to be folded before such flap is contac'tedby the lower ends of the racks.

I 9 The modified lower flap folder assembly 554 includes a pneumatic cylinder 602 which is pivotally mounted in a pair of horizontally spaced cylinder brackets 604 which are bolted to the lower side of the horizontal bottom plate 19. The cylinder brackets 604 bridge across an opening 606 which extends transversely in the horizontal bottom plate 19, and which ac-v commodates a heater assembly designated generally by reference numeral 608. The heater assembly 608 includes a heater bracket panel 610 which has mounted in a recess in the center thereof, and on the side thereof facing the cylinder 602, a heater element 612 (see FIG. 23).

Projecting from the upper end of the cylinder 602 is a piston rod 614 which is secured to a rod eye 616. The rod eye 616 journals a pin 618 which has its opposite ends secured in a clevis bracket 620 which is secured to the side of the heater accommodating plate 610 which carries the heater 612. It will I posite end portions extending through, and journaled in, two

pairs of gear brackets 630 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the lower side of the horizontal bottom plate 19 as best illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. Secured to the lower side of the heater accommodating plate 610 area pair of downwardly extending, L-shaped spring studs 632. The spring studs 632 serve as anchorpoints for the upper ends of a pair of helical springs 634. The helical springs 634 have their lower ends connected to a pair of stop brackets 636 which are connected to the lower portions of the racks 624.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION DEPICTED IN FIGURES 1724 The operation of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 17-24 is similar in many respects to the operation of the embodiment of the invention which has been hereinbefore described. Details of the operation of the apparatus where similar to the operation hereinbefore described will therefore be omitted, and the discussion will be concentrated on variations of operation due to the modifications of structure which are entailed. As has been previously indicated, a stack of bags to be compressed and wrapped is introduced to the compressing and wrapping apparatus from the bag supporting plate l2. The stack of bags comes to rest upon the platen panel 50 of the lower platen assembly 36. Upon the development of the proper signal to open the appropriate valving to the air cylinders 66 as hereinbefore described, the lower platen panel 50 is elevated by retraction of the piston rods 64 within the air cylinders 66. The bags are compressed against .the top platen 84 in the manner hereinbefore described, and

then in timed sequence, the piston rod 126 is extended from the air cylinder 124 to force the compressed stack of bags from between the upper and lower platen assemblies 34 and 36, respectively, and into the wrapping chamber. Prior to this time, a sheet of wrapping paper has been extended downwardly across the opening into the wrapping chamber, so that the wrapping paper is caused to encompass th: compressed bags on three sides. Concurrently with the extension of the piston rod 126 from the cylinder 124, the timing sequence of the electrical circuitry and air system hereinbefore described causes the cutoff knife 174 to sever the wrapping paper.

When thepiston rod 126 has been fully extended, switches are tripped which open an appropriate relay so as to supply air through appropriate valving to the air cylinders 66 to cause the piston rods 64 to be extended therefrom and return the lower platen panel50 to its position illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19. The downward movement of; the piston rods 64 throws switches which ultimately effect the retraction of the piston rod 126 into the air cylinder 124. The retractive movement of the piston rod 126 throws a switch located on the side of the air cylinder 124 which causes the cutoff knife 174 to retract. Retraction of the cutoff knife 174 closes a switch which energizes a relay which, in turn, closes a solenoid valve causing air to be delivered to the cylinder 556 ofthe lower paper guide assembly 550. This effects the retraction of the piston rod 558 into the air cylinder 556 and results in the upward reciprocation of the vertically extending slide members 562. These members are moved by such upward reciprocation into a position in which the upper ends of the members are positioned adjacent the lower end of the upper paper guide assembly 30, and more specifically, adjacent the lower ends of the sheets 140. A channel is now'formed between the vertically extending slide members 562 and the vertically extending guide members 572 for receiving wrapping paper fed downwardly via the upper paper guide assembly 30. I

When the piston rod 558 reaches its fully retracted position, the plate 560 contactsa switch 640 which, through a suitable timing system, causes a measured amount of wrapping paper to be fed into theupper and lower paper guide assemblies 30 and 550, respectively.

The retraction of the piston rod 126 into the cylinder 124 also causes an additional switch to energize a relay which opens a solenoid valve to cause air to be delivered to the appropriate end of the cylinder 582 to effect retraction into the cylinder of the piston rod 586. As the piston rod 586 moves downwardly into the cylinder 582, the flap folding plate 590 is moved downwardly into the wrapping chamber. This movement of the flap folding plate 590causes the top extension of the sheet of wrapping paper to be folded downwardly along the side of the stack of bags which faces toward the air cylinder 124. At the same time that the flap folding plate 590 is being reciprocated downwardly, the racks 592'afford support and guidance to the plate due to their engagement with the gears 594.

When the piston rod 586 has been retracted to the maximum extent, the tie plate 588 contacts a switch which closes a relay causing the shifting of a valve which introduces air to the cylinder 328 forming a portion of the adhesive applicator assembly 44. The piston rod 326 is then extended from the cylinder 328 and adhesive is applied to the folded down upper flap as hereinbefore described. When the piston rod 326 of the adhesive applicator assembly 44 has been fully extended in the manner described, a switch is opened which has previously acted as an interlock for the relay energized by the full retraction of the piston rod 586, so that by the opening of this switch as the piston rod 326 reaches its full extension, the relay is opened and the retraction of the piston rod 326 into the cylinder 328 is commenced.

When the piston rod 326 completes its retractive movement into the cylinder 328, an appropriate switch is depressed by its movement to energize an appropriate timing relay included in the electrical circuitry. The timing relay opens for a preselected time interval, a solenoid valve which supplies air to the air cylinder 602. This causes the piston rod 614 to be extended from the air cylinder 602. As the piston rod 614 is extended, it moves ahead of it, the heater accommodating plate 610 to which the rod is connected through the clevis bracket 620. The upward movement of the heater accommodating plate 610 necessarily carries with it, the elongated racks 624 which are guided in their movement by the engagement of their teeth with the gears 626.

At a point near the upper end of the stroke of the piston rod 614, the stop brackets 636 carried on the lower end portions of the racks 624 strike the gear brackets 630 and further upward movement of the racks is therefore arrested. The point at which the clevis bracket 620 is connected to the heater accommodating plate 610 is, however, horizontally offset from the pivotal axis of the heater accommodating plate on the upper ends of the racks 624. Thus, continued upward move} 

1. A banding press apparatus comprising: upper and lower vertically spaced platens mounted on said framework; means mounted on said framework for moving one of the platens relative to the other to compress a stack of bags positioned therebetween; a wrapping chamber defined by said framework and horizontally spaced from said platens at a vertical level between the vertical levels of the platens; means mounted on said framework for positioning flexible wrapping paper in a substantially vertical plane between said wrapping chamber and said upper and lower platens; means mounted on said framework for horizontally displacing said compressed stack of bags through the plane of said flexible wrapping paper to fold said paper around three sides thereof with end portions of the paper extended from the top and the bottom sides of the compressed stack; flap folding means on said framework for folding the extending end portions of the paper around a fourth side of the compressed stack of bags in overlapped relation to each other, said flap folding means comprising: an upper flap folding assembly for folding downwardly the end portion of the paper extending from the top side of the compressed stack, said upper flap folding assembly comprising: a piston and cylinder; and vertically extending flap folding rods extendible into said wrapping chamber from the top thereof and at one side thereof; a lower flap folding assembly for folding upwardly the end portion of the paper extending from the bottom side of the compressed stack, said lower flap folding assembly comprising: a piston and cylinder; and vertically extending flap folding rods extendible into said wrapping chamber from the bottom thereof and at one side thereof in substantially vertical alignment with said firstmentioned flap folding rods; an adhesive applicator assembly mounted on said framework and cooperating with said flap folding means to place adhesive between the overlapped areas of said end portions; means for synchronizing the piston and cylinders of said upper and lower flap folding assemblies with said adhesive applicator assembly to initially extend said first-mentioned flap folding rods into said wrapping chamber, then placing adhesive on the outer surface of the end portion of the paper folded by said upper flap folding assembly, then extending the secondmentioned flap folding rods into said wrapping chamber to fold upwardly the end portion of the paper extending from the bottom side of the compressed stack; and means for applying pressure to said end portions at the overlapped areas to bond the end portions to each other through said adhesive.
 2. A banding press apparatus comprising: a framework; upper and lower vertically spaced platens mounted on said framework; piston and cylinder means drivingly connected to said lower platen for elevating the lower platen; means for raising and lowering said upper platen; a wrapping chamber defined by said framework and horizontally spaced from said platens at a vertical level between the vertical levels of the platens; paper feeding means mounted on said framework; at least one pair of horizontally spaced, rigid, vertically extending sheets defining a channel for receiving paper from said paper feeding means and guiding it in a substantially vertical plane between said wrapping chamber and said upper and lower platens; means mounted on said framework for horizontally displacing said compressed stack of bags through the plane of said flexible wrapping paper to fold said paper around three sides thereof with end portions of the paper extending from the top and the bottom sides of the compressed stack; means for folding the uppermost of said end portions of the paper comprising: a piston and cylinder; and vertically extending flap folding rods extendible into said wrapping chamber from the top thereof and at one side thereof; means for folding the lowermost of said end portions of the paper comprising: a piston and cylinder; and vertically extending flap folding rods extendible into said wrapping chamber from the bottom thereof and at one side thereof in substantially vertical alignment with said first-mentioned flap folding rods; means for automatically actuating the means for folding the lowermost of said end portions at a time after the uppermost end portion has been folded; an adhesive applicator assembly mounted on said framework and cooperating with said flap folding means to place adhesive between the overlapped areas of said end portions; and means for applying pressure to said end portions at the overlapped areas to bond the end portions to each other through said adhesive.
 3. In a bag press apparatus of the type which includes means for compressing a plurality of superimposed bags and a wrapping chamber adjacent said compressing means for receiving said compressed bags and retaining the bags during wrapping, the improvement which comprises: means for folding wrapping paper around three sides of the stack of compressed bags with the two end portions of the wrapping paper forming flaps extending substantially parallel to each other from opposite, substantially parallel sides of the stack of bags; flap folding means for folding the extending end portions of the wrapping paper around a fourth side of the compressed Stack of bags into overlapped relation to each other, said flap folding means comprising: a first flap folding assembly for folding one of said end portions through a substantially right angle fold into juxtaposition to the fourth side of the compressed stack of bags, said first flap folding assembly comprising: first flap folding rod means extendible into said wrapping chamber from one side thereof along the fourth side of the compressed stack of bags; and means for reciprocating said first flap folding rod means into and out of said wrapping chamber in a path for contacting one of said end portions; a second flap folding assembly for folding the second of said end portions through a substantially right angle fold into juxtaposition to the fourth side of the compressed stack of bags, said second flap folding assembly comprising: second flap folding rod means extendible into said wrapping chamber along the fourth side of the compressed stack of bags and from the opposite side of said wrapping chamber from the side from which said first flap folding rod means is extended into said chamber; and means for reciprocating said second flap folding rod means into and out of said wrapping chamber in a path for contacting the second of said end portions; an adhesive applicator assembly mounted on said wrapping chamber and cooperating with said flap folding means to place adhesive between the overlapped areas of said end portions as said end portions are folded around the fourth side of the compressed stack of bags; means for synchronizing the means for reciprocating the first flap folding rod means, the means for reciprocating the second flap folding rod means, and the adhesive applicator assembly to initially extend said first flap folding rod means into said wrapping chamber, to then place adhesive on the outer surface of said one end portion of the wrapping paper folded by said first flap folding rod means, and then to finally extend said second flap folding rod means into said wrapping chamber to fold said second end portion into juxtaposition to the fourth side of said stack of compressed bags and overlapping said one end portion at the location where adhesive is placed; and means for applying pressure to said end portions at the overlapped areas to bond the end portions to each other through said adhesive.
 4. The improvement defined in claim 3 wherein each of said flap folding rod means comprises a plurality of elongated flap folding rods, and wherein each of said means for reciprocating one of the flap folding rod means comprises a cylinder and piston assembly including a piston rod drivingly connected to the flap folding rods of the respective associated flap folding rod means.
 5. A banding press as defined in claim 2 wherein said pressure applying means comprises: a roller; and means for driving said roller across the overlapped end portions of said paper.
 6. A banding press as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for positioning flexible wrapping paper comprises: a pair of paper feeding draw rolls; an upper paper guide assembly for receiving paper from said draw rolls; and a lower paper guide assembly for receiving paper form said upper paper guide assembly.
 7. A banding press as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for horizontally displacing said compressed stack of bags comprises: a cylinder mounted on said framework; and piston means extendible from said cylinder in a horizontal direction between said platens.
 8. A banding press as defined in claim 7 wherein said adhesive applicator assembly comprises: a paste head including a nozzle for spraying paste; means for moving said paste head in a horizontal direction and along said fourth side of said compressed stack; and means for supplying paste to said paste head. 